Air passengers are facing travel hell next month with a strike set to hit Dublin, Cork and Shannon airports.

Siptu has served notice of industrial action after talks over cuts in pension benefits for workers at Aer Lingus, the Dublin Airport Authority and the Shannon Airport Authority broke down.

The union said it will hold a four-hour stoppage at the airports on Friday, March 14, between 5am and 9am.

The strike will hit travellers just ahead of the busy St Patrick’s weekend.

Siptu said industrial action became necessary after the companies “refused to engage in meaningful talks” or present reasonable or fair proposals to address the pensions problem. The union added it remains available for further talks.

It is understood Aer Lingus has refused to increase its offer of a €110 lump sum to offset cuts in pension benefits because of the €780million black hole in the pension scheme.

An additional €30million has been earmarked to secure benefits for former employees who have not yet retired.

There was further misery for transport bosses when Irish Rail workers rejected cost-cutting proposals put forward by the Labour Relations Commission by a vote of 71% to 29% yesterday.

Siptu members in the railway company overwhelmingly rejected proposed changes to the terms and conditions of their employment.

Union organiser Paul Cullen said workers were disappointed managerial costs had not been targeted in the same way as staff cost-cutting measures.

He added: “Members are concerned that while they’ve taken measures in recognition of the financial position of the company over the past three years, similar reductions in non-payroll and managerial costs have not been pursued with the same vigour.”